‘Books are freedom and studying is what frees us’ · International Voices

SH: From the necessities of the textual content, or the construction.

SU: Does this apply to all translators? 

SH: No. There isn’t a translation that’s 100% excellent. Fairly, there’s a set of ethics for translation. For instance:

Nabil al-Huffar is among the many most necessary translators, each in Syria and overseas. He interprets from German to Arabic. His translations have, in essence, the “perspective of distance,” an exquisite phrase that I borrow from a questioning poet to explain Nabil’s ethical and aesthetic expressiveness.

Lastly, I learn a textual content by Amin Maalouf within the unique language and I seen the distinction: The translated textual content doesn’t have the identical diploma of magnificence and luster as the unique.

Perhaps we’re fortunate to have translators with good data of language, transmission, tradition and interplay with others.

SU: Do you’re feeling any disappointment on the present cultural scene in Syria?  

SH: In fact. What are you able to count on amid this actuality we’re residing by?

SU: I apologize for this subsequent query, however I need to ask: Simply as you preserved your late father’s mission⁠ of conserving Dar Atlas going⁠, is there somebody who will hold that very same mission going if you’re gone? What’s the eventual destiny of Dar Atlas? 

SH: There may be no person, and no inheritor. I’ve been fascinated by this for a very long time.

There are a number of choices. I might hand over the publishing home to a reliable and sincere individual in order that it stays afloat. Nonetheless, there’s no person I can hand it to from my circle of relatives, as my sister and I are each single. I’ve a brother, however he’s not concerned in Dar Atlas in any respect. The entire remainder of the household is within the diaspora, on condition that we’re of Palestinian origin.

Sure, this concern bothers me, and I’m considering of another plan. I don’t know but. I haven’t but began the method of handing over Dar Atlas to anybody, as I’m nonetheless capable of handle every thing and observe by on initiatives.